Portable battery with a retrofitting projection and wrist rest for use externally of an electronic device

Abstract

A metal-air battery pack is disclosed for external assembly to a portable electronic device with a battery compartment. The battery pack electrically connects to the electronic device through an existing connector of the device that is located in the battery compartment of the device. Another aspect of the present invention provides a palm rest as part of a battery for a portable computing device.

We claim: 
     
       1. A portable power source for use externally of a portable computing device, comprising: a metal-air battery contained within the interior of a housing, said metal-air battery comprising one or more electrochemical cells, wherein said housing comprises an upper surface shaped for engagement with a lower surface of a portable computing device;   a palm rest secured to said housing along a first side of said housing, said palm rest extending upward from said housing and being positioned along an edge of said portable computing device when said housing is attached to said portable computing device, said housing and said palm rest being removable as a unit from said portable computing device; and   said palm rest comprising a plurality of openings for providing air into a space formed interior of said palm rest, said space communicating with said interior of said housing.   
     
     
       2. A portable power source as recited in claim 1, wherein said palm rest comprises a door openable for access to a disk drive of said portable computing device. 
     
     
       3. A portable power source as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises at least one air exchange opening for exchanging air inside of said housing with said air provided into said space formed interior of said palm rest. 
     
     
       4. A portable power source as recited in claim 3, wherein said portable power source further comprises an air moving device disposed interior of said palm rest for directing said exchange of said air inside of said housing with said air provided into said space formed interior of said palm rest. 
     
     
       5. A portable power source for use externally of a portable computing device, comprising: an electrochemical battery contained within a housing, said electrochemical battery comprising one or more electrochemical cells, wherein said housing comprises an upper surface shaped for engagement with a lower surface of a portable computing device; and   a palm rest secured to said housing along a first side of said housing, said palm rest extending upward from said housing and being positioned along an edge of said portable computing device when said housing is attached to said portable computing device, said palm rest having a door openable for access to a disk drive of said portable computing device, said housing and said palm rest being removable as a unit from said portable computing device.   
     
     
       6. A portable power source as recited in claim 5, wherein said door pivots down and away from said portable computing device such that a floppy disk may be inserted into said disk drive. 
     
     
       7. A portable power source as recited in claim 6, wherein said door is pivotally mounted to said housing by a U-shaped hinge having an open end facing said door, said door being pivotally attached to a first arm of said U-shaped hinge and said housing being pivotally attached to a second arm of said U-shaped hinge. 
     
     
       8. A portable power source for use externally of an electronic device having a battery compartment, comprising: an electrochemical battery contained within a housing, said electrochemical battery comprising one or more electrochemical cells; and   a projection for insertion into a battery compartment of said electronic device, said projection containing electronics for sending signals to and receiving signals from said electronic device, said projection extending upward from an edge portion of an upper surface of said housing and further extending substantially parallel to and in spaced apart relation from said upper surface of said housing, said upper surface of said housing engaging a lower surface of said electronic device.   
     
     
       9. A portable power source as recited in claim 8, wherein said electronic device is a portable computing device. 
     
     
       10. A portable power source as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrochemical cell is a metal-air battery. 
     
     
       11. A portable power source for use externally of a portable computing device having a battery compartment, comprising: an electrochemical battery contained within a housing, said electrochemical battery comprising one or more electrochemical cells; and   a projection for insertion into a battery compartment of said portable computing device, said projection extending upward from an edge portion of an upper surface of said housing and further extending substantially parallel to and in spaced apart relation from said upper surface of said housing, said upper surface of said housing engaging a lower surface of said electronic device, wherein when said portable power source is attached to said portable computing device, said upwardly extending portion of said projection is positionable to form at least part of a palm rest along a keyboard of said portable computing device, said keyboard being located adjacent to a front edge of said portable computing device.   
     
     
       12. A portable power source for use externally of an electronic device having a battery compartment, comprising: a housing containing a metal-air battery; and   a projection for insertion into a battery compartment of said electronic device, said projection comprising at least one air exchange opening for exchanging air inside of said housing with air outside of said housing and an air moving device positioned to direct a flow of air throughout said housing, said projection extending upward from an edge portion of an upper surface of said housing and further extending substantially parallel to and in spaced apart relation from said upper surface of said housing, said upper surface of said housing engaging a lower surface of said electronic device.   
     
     
       13. A portable power source for use externally of an electronic device having a battery compartment, comprising: a housing containing a metal-air battery;   a projection for insertion into said battery compartment of said electronic device, said projection extending upward from an edge portion of an upper surface of said housing and further extending substantially parallel to and in spaced apart relation from said upper surface of said housing, said upper surface of said housing engaging a lower surface of said electronic device; and   an air plenum protruding above an upper surface of said housing into a cavity in said projection shaped to receive said protruding air plenum, said air plenum comprising an air exchange opening and an air moving device for directing a flow of air throughout said housing.   
     
     
       14. A portable power source for use externally of an electronic device having a battery compartment, comprising: an electrochemical battery contained within a housing, said electrochemical battery comprising one or more electrochemical cells;   a projection for insertion into a battery compartment of said electronic device, said projection extending upward from an edge portion of an upper surface of said housing and further extending substantially parallel to and in spaced apart relation from said upper surface of said housing, said upper surface of said housing engaging a lower surface of said electronic device; and   a battery connector supported by said projection in electrical contact with said electrochemical battery and configured for engagement, while said cells are positioned outside said electronic device and outside said battery compartment, with a mating device connector in electrical contact with said electronic device, said mating device connector being positioned within said battery compartment of said electronic device.   
     
     
       15. A portable power source for use externally of an electronic device having a battery compartment, comprising: an electrochemical battery contained within a housing, said electrochemical battery comprising one or more electrochemical cells; and   a projection for insertion into a battery compartment of said electronic device, said projection housing electronics for controlling the operation of said electrochemical battery, said projection extending upward from an edge portion of an upper surface of said housing and further extending substantially parallel to and in spaced apart relation from said upper surface of said housing, said upper surface of said housing engaging a lower surface of said electronic device.